Thermal strain relief device for high temperature furnace

Abstract

A system and method for connecting a plurality of components in a furnace incorporate a thermal strain relief device made of graphite or other material designed for high temperature environments in which operating temperatures of the furnace are between about 1000° C. and about 1700° C. The thermal strain relief device includes a body, a raised area provided on a first side of the body, and an elevation structure provided on a second side of the body. The thermal strain relief device is assembled with at least first and second components, and a connector for connecting the first and second components in the furnace, where the first and second components may have different coefficients of thermal expansion, and the thermal strain relief device is configured to flex in response to tightening of the connector, and in response to thermal expansion of the first and second components when operated at high temperatures.

1 . A system for connecting a plurality of components in a furnace, comprising:
 at least first and second components provided in the furnace;   a connector for connecting the at least first and second components in the furnace, the connector and the first and second components being made of materials having different coefficients of thermal expansion; and   a thermal strain relief device arranged intermediate at least a portion of the connector and at least one of the first and second components, the thermal strain relief device abutting the connector and the at least one of the first and second components,   the thermal strain relief device having a body, a raised area provided on a first side of the body, the raised area contacting the connector, and an elevation structure provided on a second side of the body, the elevation structure contacting at least one of the first and second components.   
     
     
         2 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein the thermal strain relief device is formed with at least a hole for receiving the connector. 
     
     
         3 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein the elevation structure of the thermal strain relief device includes at least two legs so as to elevate the body above a plane defined by the at least one of the first and second components. 
     
     
         4 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein the raised area of the thermal strain relief device has a surface area less than a surface area of the body of the thermal strain relief device. 
     
     
         5 . The system of  claim 4 , wherein the raised area include at least one tapered edge formed on the body of the thermal strain relief device. 
     
     
         6 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein the thermal strain relief device is made of graphite or a carbon-carbon composite. 
     
     
         7 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein the thermal strain relief device is made of a carbon-based material having a tensile strength of at least about 45 MPa. 
     
     
         8 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein the thermal strain relief device is configured to flex in response to tightening of the connector against the thermal strain relief device. 
     
     
         9 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein the thermal strain relief device is configured to flex so as to counteract thermal expansion of at least one of the connector, the first component, and the second component. 
     
     
         10 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein the furnace is operated at temperatures of greater than about 1000° C. 
     
     
         11 . A thermal strain relief device configured to be assembled with a connector and at least first and second components in a furnace, comprising:
 a body;   a raised area provided on a first side of the body, the raised area contacting the connector that connects at least first and second components, wherein the connector and the first and second components have different coefficients of thermal expansion; and   an elevation structure provided on a second side of the body, the elevation structure contacting at least one of the first and second components,   the thermal strain relief device being arranged intermediate to at least a portion of the connector and at least one of the first and second components.   
     
     
         12 . The thermal strain relief device of  claim 11 , further comprising at least a hole for receiving the connector. 
     
     
         13 . The thermal strain relief device of  claim 11 , wherein the elevation structure includes at least two legs so as to elevate the body above a plane defined by the at least one of the first and second components. 
     
     
         14 . The thermal strain relief device of  claim 11 , wherein the raised area has a length that is shorter than a length of the body. 
     
     
         15 . The thermal strain relief device of  claim 14 , wherein the raised area include at least one tapered edge formed on the body. 
     
     
         16 . A method for connecting a plurality of components in a furnace, comprising:
 providing at least first and second components in the furnace;   providing a thermal strain relief device having a body, a raised area provided on a first side of the body, and an elevation structure provided on a second side of the body;   connecting the at least first and second components in the furnace using a connector, wherein the connector and the first and second components are made of materials having different coefficients of thermal expansion;   tightening the connector against the raised area of the thermal strain relief device, such that the raised area contacts the connector, and the elevation structure contacts at least one of the first and second components; and   subjecting the thermal strain relief device, the connector, and the at least first and second components to a high temperature environment, the connector being configured to flex in response to thermal expansion of the connector and the first and second components.   
     
     
         17 . The method of  claim 16 , wherein the high temperature environment includes operating temperatures of greater than about 1000° C. 
     
     
         18 . The method of  claim 16 , wherein the high temperature environment includes operating temperatures of between about 1000° C. and about 1700° C. 
     
     
         19 . The method of  claim 16 , wherein the thermal strain relief device is configured to flex in response to the tightening of the connector against the raised area of the thermal strain relief device. 
     
     
         20 . The method of  claim 16 , wherein the thermal strain relief device flexes so as to counteract thermal expansion of at least one of the connector, the first component, and the second component.